10. They Came Before Columbus Part II-The Mariner Prince of Mali

In this episode Black History Educator Brittany Wilkins honors Dr. Ivan Van Sertima work in discussing the African presence in Ancient America. This podcast offers listeners insight into seeing the African race in a more positive light by discussing various topics written in Dr. Sertima's They Came Before Columbus. 

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Transcript

First and foremost, I would like to say thank you for those listening and being  tuned into Th Coin: Black History On the Other Side podcast. In episode five we honored Dr. Ivan Van Sertima discussing his literary work They Came Before Columbus, African Presence in Ancient America. His contributions to the field of Africana studies has enabled us to see African people in a different light. During episode 5 I promised based upon the feedback and number of downloads, I would follow up and do a part two. Thank you for holding me accountable. In today’s show we will discuss the  Mariner Prince of Mali.

Have you ever envisioned what the world is like in other parts of the country, outside of where you live? Wondering if the grass was greener. There must have been something that inspired the King of Mali to set out on his expedition across the sea. The king had dream to explore the depths of the sea. The seed  had been planted well before he acquired the Kingdom, as he was told stories how of the sea was where the world began and ended. The kings great boatbuilding operation began with two master and supply boats being built.  Phase I on the expedition none of the boats returned but one, giving the King word about the expedition and  the strong currents of the sea. This was the turning point for the King of Mali. 

The kings whole empire prioritize this project above all affairs.

Phase II of the expedition he set out to lead the voyage as commander. In 1311 he conferred his power to his brother Kan Kan Musa would be become Governor of North Africa. The rest is history as King Of Mali never returned.  Before the Mayflower arrived on the coasts of Africa, many Africans had already adventured across the coast. 

Dr. Van Sertima work showcases that

1. African people in positions of great power and Royalty 
2. The intellect of Africans ingenuity in building ships. The mass production of two hundreds ships is no easy feat.
3. The use of science and geography in learning how to navigate the seas.
4. We learn the origin of Mansa Musa rise to power in the kingdom
5. Undocumented history leaves a void no historian can write without the account of the storyteller

A few others things  that stood out were the King of Mali had it all the prestige, status, power, and wealth. Yet he was unfulfilled longing for more in search for something greater in life. Led by his ambition, he thought the sea held the joy he longed for. His story is an ancient lesson for modern times. How many of us can relate to his story. While we may not be Queens and Kings ruling a palace. Haven’t we t times felt unfulfilled. You just feel like something is missing. Although you have it all and are blessed beyond measure, you are just not content. You begin to search for. That thing or place. Before you know it begins to consume. The things that use to matter no longer hold any value.

In the text it reads, The king could not find peace. He was obsessed by the arrow he had hurled across the spaces of the ocean. What lands will it strike? Where would it fall from its flight to the end of the unknown world? He couldn’t think of nothing else. He found no joy in his food, his wives or his children, no comfort in music or the discourse of griot. He yawned and made impatient signs during the important discussions of affairs of state. 

This is the moment in history, I wished technology existed in having a video production team document the African Voyage across the sea.  Learning about the sea inspired the Kings ambition to venture out. It excited him! I wonder once he got out in the Atlantic Ocean was it what he dreamed about. Oftentimes we can work to obtain a goal and bring a dream to fruition to reach that next level, only to realize it's not what we imagined. 

I wonder did he die at the sea or land in another part of the world and began a new life.  In episode five I discussed how  Spanish and European explorers witnessed seeing Africans in Colombia, Peru, and Espanola. Could it be that those on the two hundred boats arrived in other places around the world through by the King fulfilling his dream?

If you have read They Came Before Columbus. Are you convinced Africans were already in the America prior to the slave trade? For those of you who don’t believe, what evidence or as we say it todays culture, what receipts would you want to see?  

Or maybe no receipts and take history as face value. Just maybe you would search beyond the sea of your opinion and search the depths of history. 

We must not only learn history. We must explore history on the other side to see if the grass is truly greener.

Thank you for listening to today's show. Until my next episode I leave you with this.

We are vessels of speech, we are the repositories which harbor secrets many centuries old, without us the names of kings would vanish from oblivion. We are the memory of mankind. By the spoken word we bring to life the deeds and exploits of kings for younger generations. History holds no mystery for us. We teach to the vulgar just as much as we want to teach them, for it is we who keep the keys to the twelve doors of Mali. I teach the kings of their ancestors so that the lives of the ancients might serve them as an example, for the world is old but the future springs from the past.